HCSO makes drug arrests

HOLMES COUNTY – The Holmes County SheriffÂ’s Office have made four drug arrests since July 13 in various locations throughout the county. They are as follows. 

PONCE DE LEON – On July 20, an HCSO deputy responded to Ammons Road in reference to a vehicle in a ditch with the driver passed out behind the wheel. When deputies arrived, entry was made into the vehicle awakening the driver. The driver was identified as Kendrick Highsmith, of Marianna.  

According to HCSO, Highsmith stepped on the accelerator, however the vehicle was stuck. EMS checked Highsmith and medically cleared him. When the deputy spoke with Highsmith, he stated he had fallen asleep and ran off the road. He also stated he thought he was in Geneva, Alabama.  

A search of HighsmithÂ’s person led to the discovery of a glass methamphetamine pipe in his pocket. Highsmith then told deputies he had just bought drugs and they were in the car.  In a subsequent search, deputies located over 30 grams of methamphetamine as well as a small amount of marijuana. 

 Highsmith
was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine,
possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

PONCE DE LEON – On July 16, an HCSO deputy stopped a Ford F–150 with an expired tag on Hwy 81. The driver was identified as Jackie Edwards, of Pensacola.  

Edwards advised HCSO he did not have a license. The deputy confirmed the statement to be true as well as discovering Edwards had warrants out of Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties. Edwards told HCSO he had marijuana in the vehicle.  A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed marijuana, methamphetamine and methamphetamine pipes.  

Edwards was arrested on the existing warrants and additionally charged with driving while license suspended, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

PROSPERITY – An HCSO deputy responded to an address on Mixon Road on July 19 after being advised that one Raymond Mapel Jr. was there and had active felony warrants. When deputies arrived, contact was made with Mapel immediately taking him into custody. 

Mapel asked if he could put on a pair of jeans before going to jail. The deputy searched the jeans where a bag of methamphetamine and Xanax pills were discovered in a pocket.  

Mapel was arrested on the existing warrants and additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of controlled substance Xanax.  

BETHLEHEM – A routine traffic stop led to the arrest of a Bonifay woman. An HCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop on a GMC truck on Hwy 2. on July 13 and according to a release the deputy smelled marijuana in the vehicle. 

 Deputies spoke with the passenger, identified as Starla Sellers, of Bonifay.  Sellers was asked to step out of the truck when the deputy observed a plastic bag of marijuana in plain view. As a probable cause search of the truck was conducted, HCSO discovered a pink purse in the floorboard containing a methamphetamine pipe and a small plastic bag containing methamphetamine. Sellers, out on bond for a previous arrest was placed into custody and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.